After all, Marron has a loving wife, nine-year-old daughter and a Newport Beach marine industry boss anxious for his return. Plus he claims he sees the errors of his ways--especially substance abuse--and assured U.S. District Court Judge James V. Selna that he will now lead a "law abiding life."

Federal prosecutors weren't so willing to ignore Marron's crimes. An undercover law enforcement task force (federal and local cops) caught him working with Mexican Mafia disciple Cesar Mungia to sell 400 grams of cocaine in Southern California.

Agents also recorded the hoodlum talking on the phone about illegal gun sales and plans to commit assaults. The defendant's attempts to downplay his gang role didn't impress Department of Justice officials either. He has Forming Kaos tattoos and gang monikers, "Shadow" and "Negro."

R. Scott Moxley’s award-winning investigative journalism has touched nerves for two decades. An angry congressman threatened to break Moxley’s knee caps. A dirty sheriff promised his critical reporting was irrelevant and then landed in prison. Corporate crooks won’t take his calls. Murderous gangsters mad-dogged him in court. The U.S. House of Representatives debated his work. Pusillanimous cops have left hostile messages using fake names. Federal prosecutors credited his stories for the arrest of a doctor who sold fake medicine to dying patients. And a frantic state legislator literally caught sleeping with lobbyists sprinted down state capital hallways to evade his questions in Sacramento.